Discover Costco’s Must-Have Pantry Staple for Only $5.99!

With nearly two decades of experience in the culinary world, I’ve donned numerous chef’s hats. During the pandemic, I briefly ran a small business as a private chef for local families.

Each week, I’d craft a menu, gather orders, and then dedicate a whole day to cooking and delivery. Though I’m not the best with numbers (just ask my spouse), I prioritize top-notch ingredients and wouldn’t compromise quality for better profit margins.

When preparing family meals, I often used canned tomatoes for a variety of dishes like soups, pastas, lasagnas, and chilis. In my view, a low-quality canned tomato can destroy a meal, leaving it tasting sour, metallic, and not at all sweet.

The challenge? It’s hard to find a premium-quality 28-ounce can of whole peeled tomatoes for less than five dollars.

My Favorite Find: Costco’s Nina Whole Peeled Tomatoes

Wandering through my local Costco, I stumbled upon a culinary treasure: Nina Whole Peeled Tomatoes, available in an impressive 106-ounce can for just $5.99. A similar quality product usually costs around $20 for the same quantity, so the savings are significant.

What’s more, these tomatoes are genuine San Marzano varieties, sourced and packed in Italy. Their bright, sun-kissed flavor is perfect for the colder months, and they boast a robust texture and vibrant red hue that enhances almost any recipe.

If you’re wondering what to do with nearly seven pounds of tomatoes, don’t worry. They’re ideal for making double batches of homemade tomato sauce or classic Bolognese. You’ll use the entire can in no time.

You can also simmer them in a large pot of Tomato, White Bean, and Bacon Soup or Chicken Stew with Onions and Tomatoes.

If I’m not in the mood for large-scale cooking, I simply use what I need and store the rest in plastic quart containers in the freezer for future use. They defrost quickly in the refrigerator overnight. Just remember to leave some space at the top of the container for expansion during freezing.

An additional perk? The cans themselves are quite charming, so I often clean them out and repurpose them as vases or to add height to dishes when hosting holiday gatherings!

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